Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern

C&O Canal Trust, "Friends of Fletcher's Cove": The Friends of Fletcher's Cove has been formed to address the environmental problems threatening Potomac River access at Fletcher's Cove.

News from 2015 can be viewed here

January 12, 2016, Potomac Almanac, Deb Stevens, "Happy Birthday, C&O Canal Park": Park staff, volunteers, and visitors observed the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s 45th birthday with birthday cake, music, and 19th century games at Great Falls Tavern, on Saturday, Jan. 9.

C&O Canal Historical Park News Release, 3 February 2016, "C&O Canal Celebrates African American History Month."

Baltimore Sun, 8 February 2016, "Feds award $1.3M toward C&O Canal aqueduct restoration," The National Park Service is providing $1.3 million to help restore the Conococheague Aqueduct in the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park at Williamsport.

C&O Canal Historical Park News Release, 18 February 2016, "Grand George Washington Ball to be held at Great Falls Tavern." Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 1 pm to 4 pm, the Great Falls Tavern will ring with happy voices and the swish of waltzing hoop skirts.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 5, 2016, "20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Visits Great Falls Tavern." On May 7th and 8th 2016, the C&O Canal NHP will host a Civil War living weekend with the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry at Great Falls Tavern in Potomac, MD.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 6, 2016, "2016 Canal Boat Excursions Season Opens at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center in Potomac, Maryland." 19th-century mule-drawn canal boat excursions on the Charles F. Mercer replica packet boat have resumed for the season. (The Mercer was constructed with funds raised by the Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern.)

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 22, 2016, "C&O Canal introduces new family program during National Park Week." The program offers families an opportunity to explore nature and history using pre-made backpack kits.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, April 20, 2016, "Water Pumps Working Along the C&O Canal NHP Towpath." In preparation for the summer season, the C&O Canal NHP has turned on most drinking fountains and reattached handles to water pumps along the towpath.

Potomac Almanac, May 6, 2016, Susan Belford, "Potomac: Taking Pride in C&O Park." More than 100 volunteers braved the elements to perform clean-up and beautification tasks at the C&O Canal NHP at Great Falls for Canal Pride Day, April 23. The Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern focused their attention on their namesake, Historic Great Falls Tavern.

Potomac Almanac, May 6, 2016, Susan Belford, "Potomac: C&O Canal Gains New Bridge." A new footbridge over the canal at the Marsden Tract, was constructed by the C&O Canal Trust and National Park staff, along with skilled volunteers April 21-24, 2016.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 19, 2016, "Biodiversity Celebration Events happening at C&O Canal National Park." On May 20-­21, 2016, the C&O Canal will be participating in a national celebration of the centennial of the Park Service by leading bird, fish and plant surveys, providing participants with a better understanding of our abundant local natural resources.

Potomac Almanac, May 26, 2016, Marilyn Campbell, "Potomac: Discovering Flora and Fauna at NPS Centennial." Hundreds of scientists, students, teachers, and the general public explored and documented the birds and plants of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) National Historical Park at the Great Falls Tavern's Bird Blitz.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, May 26, 2016, "C&O Canal in Western Maryland Provides Replica Launch Boat Tours and More Visitor Services Beginning Memorial Day Weekend." The C&O Canal NHP welcomes visitors to the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, Canal Place in Cumberland, Ferry Hill Plantation in Sharpsburg, Bowles House in Hancock, and Brunswick Visitor Center starting Memorial Day weekend.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, June 20, 2016, "VIP Speaker Seriess: Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and Weather Preparedness on the Towpath." Ranger Kate Marks discusses the history and the programs of the John Smith Trail at 2 pm, April 25, at The Historic Great Falls Tavern. Space is limited and reservations are required. Also, at 10:30 am, at Cumberland, Tim Thomas will discuss weather preparedness on the canal. Again, reservations are required.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 15, 2016, "Celebrate a Centennial of Campfires at the C&O Canal Great Falls Tavern." Join the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) National Historical Park to commemorate a century of campfire programs with the National Park Service. Sing songs and listen to stories from across America’s National Parks as well as night­time themed canal stories!

C&O Canal National Park News Release, July 25, 2016, "100 Years, 100 Culverts." This presentation, at the Sharpsburg Visitors Center, on 30 July, will highlight 100 of the canal’s over 160 culverts in honor of the National Park Service Centennial celebration. The presentation will feature photographs of a wide range of culverts and discussion of the function, conditions and other aspects of culverts that you can find on the towpath today.

C&O Canal National Park News Release, August 22, 2016, "Centennial Celebration for the National Park Service's 100th Birthday." All entrance fees to the C&O Canal National Park at the Great Falls Tavern visitor center will be waived from August 25-28 for special events celebrating the centennial.

C&O Canal Trust, Canal Connections, September 1, 2016, "100 Years of America's National Park Service." The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History will open its new exhibit showcasing its scientific collaboration with the National Park Service and celebrating the Centennial. The exhibit will include photos, exhibit text written by Park staff, and scientific museum collections from the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

The "Fall/Winter Volunteers-In-Parks News," published by the C&O Canal National Historical Park can be viewed here.

Potomac Almanac, December 21, 2016, "Water, Silt and a Canal-Full of Issues," p. 3, describes the recent meeting of the West Montgomery County Citizens Association with Kevin Brandt, the superintendent of the C&O Canal National Historic Park.